Y Life Science

This episode features Dr. Gareth Powell, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biology at Brigham Young University and Natalie Saxton, PhD student at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. They discuss their research, adventures doing field work, as well as the vast biodiversity of insects. 

This episode was recorded on February 15, 2022.

Dr. Richard Gill and graduate students, Stau Segi and Kalai Ellis describe their research projects in the south pacific, specifically in Samoa and Hawaii. They discuss the importance of the connection between the work they're doing and traditional ecological understanding. 

This episode was recorded on February 10, 2022.

Dr. Benjamin Abbott ([email protected]), assistant professor of ecosystem ecology at Brigham Young University, joins Samuel Bratsman ([email protected]), plant and wildlife sciences graduate student, to discuss the history, ecology, and future of Utah Lake.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

The following links were either mentioned in the episode or are resources available to find out more about Utah Lake:

utahlake.byu.edu
timpanogostribe.com
Utah Historical Quarterly
https://utahlake.org
https://utahvalleyvisioning.org/
conserveutahvalley.org
utah.gov

Utah Lake Photography Club Facebook Group
Instagram @utahlakephotoclub

The views and opinions expressed in this program are the personal views and opinions of the speakers acting in their private capacity, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Brigham Young University or any other entity.

In this episode we hear from Dr. Alison Whiting and Dr. Michael Whiting, both curators at the Bean Life Science Museum and faculty at Brigham Young University. They share how their love for science has taken them on adventures and influenced their kids.

Nature Article: Loss and recovery of wings in stick insects

This episode was recorded on December 13, 2021.

In this episode we interview Dr. Arden Pope, Mary Lou Fulton Professor of Economics at BYU. We discuss his research on air pollution. He also gives tips on ways to improve air pollution as a community and as an individual.

Global Burden of Disease Report
Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health
Air Quality Guidelines from the World Health Organization
Press release for the Air Quality Guidelines from WHO
Human Health and Economic Costs of Air Pollution in Utah: An Expert Assessment

This episode was recorded on September 22, 2021.

Dr. Michael Whiting is the new director at the BYU Life Science Museum. Join Dr. Whiting and the new associate director, Dr. Steve Leavitt,  as they talk about a new vision for the museum and how students at Brigham Young University have a unique opportunity to participate in designing exhibits and communicating science.

This episode was recorded on September 30, 2021.

Dr. Hal Black ([email protected]) and Dr. Janene Auger ([email protected]) talk about their experiences and research with Black Bears.

• Poem, “Barter” by Sara Teasdale
• Emma X3 All-terrain Wheelchair

This episode was recorded on July 7, 2021.

Listen to Merrill Webb and Josh Day talk about why they love to watch and chase birds. They will also give tips on how to get started and some great resources to identify birds and keep lists of what you see. Some of these resources are linked below:

• Cornell lab of Ornithology
• American Birding Association
• American Bird Conservancy
• eBird (Cornell)
• Traditional field guides
  • Peterson
  • Sibley
  • National Geographic
• Mobile app field guides
  • Meriln
  • iBird
  • Audubon
• Utahbirds.org
• Utah County Birders

This episode was recorded on June 18, 2021.

Ben Abbott (Plant & Wildlife Sciences department) and Bremen Leak (Associate Director, Sustainability & Continuity) join undergraduate student, Austen Lambert, to talk about sustainability on many different levels. They discuss the history of sustainability at BYU and the doctrinal foundations that support these principles. The following links provide resources which were mentioned in this episode:

• Environmental Science and Sustainability major
• Two great commandments - Love God and love neighbor
• BYU AIMS
• Other Side of Heaven
• What Is Your Mission?, John Groeberg devotional - May 1, 1979
• BYU Clubs and organizations and local environmental groups (Resources from Plant & Wildlife Sciences)
• Children of Heavenly Father, M. Russell Ballard devotional - March 3, 2020
• Environmental Stewardship and Conservation (Gospel Topics, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
• Student Sustainability Initiative Instagram

This episode was recorded on April 21, 2021.

Dr. Byron Adams and undergraduate student, Jinna Brim describe for listeners their experience in the Antarctica. The talk about their research and why this location is such a great place to collect and study Nematodes.

For more information check out these links below:
Surviving Earth's Extremes: How Antarctic Animals Freeze and Reanimate (YouTube)
"Ghost creature" of Antarctica has survived 30 ice ages (YouTube)
A Thing of Beauty: Antarctic Worm (YouTube)
BYU professor makes big impact through small Antarctic insects (Daily Universe)
Byron Adam's Lab Webpage

This episode was recorded on March 16, 2021.